Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-04
ST. LOUIS FAIR.
The President and Wife Attend the Fes-
nvities of the Occasion-CleveIand Re-
spends to Request for Speech.

The Presidential party partook of an early
breakfast in order to prepare for days fes.
tivities. Shortly after nine o'clock the party
was escorted to the residence of Mayor Fran
els, where they were met by the mayor.
Shortly after te n o'clock the entire party
was driven to the fair grounds. The route
the carriages took was elsborstely decorated
and much enthusiasm was manifested by the
spectators, President and Mrs. Cleveland ac-
knowledging the demonstrations by bowling
to the crowds.
The Presidential party reached the fair
grounds at 1915 A. NJ, and were driven
around the race course, stopping in front of
the grand stand to hear three thousand chill
dren sing america
The ampithestre surrounding the course
contained upwards of forty thousand per-
sons.
The party returned to Mayor Francis resi-
dence where Mrs. Cleveland remained to
prepare for a luncheon given in her honor by
Mrs. Henry Scanlan.
The balance of the party arrived at the
Merchants Exch .nge at 1910 P. NJ. The
President was introduced by Mayor Francis
and responded as follows:
Mr. Mayor and fellow citizens If am
expected TO make an extended speech | am
be sorry to do after having succeeded at last,
through much trlbulation, in standing face to
face with my St. Louis friends. This tribu-
lation has arisen from the extreme kindness
of vast number of American people and the
cordial invitations they have rendered me to
stop and see them. Your city was the OBJ
jective point of my travel, but it sometimes
seemed that every town between Washington
and here had been represented as being di-
recty on my route. 1t has been hard to con-
vince these kind and enthusiastic citizens
that it would not be an entirely easy matter
within the time at my disposal, to pay them
a visit and my own inclination leading me
in the direction of their desires, it has been a
difficult matter to resist their opportunities.
But | have made up my mind that the people
of ST. Louis are to blame for the entire per-
plexity and disappointment for through them
| was induced to leave home at all. l expect
that anything | might say concerning your
State or city, in the way of laudation or con-
graduation, would hardly equal your own
estimate OF these subjects. | believe there
was time when St. Louis was the determ-
ined and jealous rival of Chicago. | don't
know whether this condition continues or
not, but hope it does. While you can hardly
expect the lockers on to take sides in such a
such a struggle adds to the growth and i'm
provement of the country at large. Both
these cities exemplfy in a wonderful degree
how completely and speedily American en-
ergy and business ingenuity utiliZes every
available element for municipal growth and
how every useful type of the worlds popula-
ton is assimiated to the grand plrpose OF
American expansion. | am here reminded
of what | suppose TO be a fact that more than
half Of your voters are of foreign birth and
parentage. The growth and increase of your
city in every way indicate that the condition
of your populace, thus made apparent, is by
no means to be deprecated and my Observa-
ton during long residence in a city SINH
larly situated led me to know the value to
my community of industrious, frugal and
thrifty women who come from foreign lands
to find new homes with US, who invest them
selves with our citizenship, who are satisfied
and content with the freedom of our govern
ment, our laws and institutions. The line
is easily drawn between them and non-assim-
ilating emigrants who seek our shores solely
for the purposes of involving disturbance and
disadvantage to our body polite. hope |
may without lmpropriety say this much
in recognition of what has been done for St.
Louis by its naturalized citizens as well as in
remembrances of many kind and valued
friends and associates of former days. |
deem myself especially fortunate in being
with you at a time when the manufactures
and products of your city and surrounding
country are on exhibition at your fair, one of
the largest in the country. Those who seek
the best and surest evidence of your substan-
tial prosperity may we'll be satisfied. Here
shall see things which are conclusive proof
of thrift, wealth and comfortable homes
hope to see besides, while here, certain fea-
lures of your city's life, which at this time
are unusually displayed, which establishes
the fact that the people OF st. Louis, with all
the business engagements, toll and stirring
tsade, are not adverse to pleasant enjoyment
hope you will find your visitors interested
sight seers of all things. You can be assured
however much you may impress US with the
greatness of your city, we are certain to have
our hearts filled with grateful appreciation
of the kindness and hospitality of your
people.
During the Presidents remarks at the ex
change he was often interrupted by cheers
and one time applause. Several minutes
after, the party left the Exchange and were
driven about the city for an hour.
The procession of six carriages, led anC
followed by a strong guard of mounted po
lice, arrived at the Lindell hotel at 2. M
The streets were so blocked that it took some
time to force the carriages through to th'
entrance.
The President lunched, and then with hi
wife, received at the Lindell hotel from three
until six z. NJ A steady stream of people
were passing by when the latter hour arrived
and there appeared to be as many more il
waiting. Washington avenue was packed
for blocks during the reception, and at it
close there was no perceptible change in the
appearance of the crowd.
Mrs. Cleveland was magniicently sttiret
in rich blue sursh silk, with red rose and
green leaf figures, profusion of lace about
her throst caught up with simple diamond
pendant. and full lace sleeves. She present
ed picture which cspiivated all. The only
ornaments worn about her neck were string
of coral beads, which were recently present
ed 10 her.
Col. Lamont estimates that nine thousand
persons took the hand of the President thi;
afternoon.